NEW YORK (AFP) – Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal could meet in a US Open singles final, but defending champion Serena Williams and her sister Venus Williams cannot, according to the US Open draws revealed Thursday.
The draws had Federer and Spanish star Nadal on opposite sides of the bracket, something not assured for the first time since 2005 in Slams where both men played because Britain's Andy Murray is ranked second.
Swiss world number one Federer seeks an unprecedented sixth US Open title in a row after winning a record 15th career Slam title last month at Wimbledon."I'm still motivated," Federer said. "I'm still excited about playing."Nadal, who is fighting off a knee injury, is in the same half of the draw as Murray for the year's final Grand Slam event which starts Monday. Nadal and Federer had been 1-2 in the rankings for the past four years until this month.Serena Williams is ranked second to Russia's Dinara Safina even though the US star has 11 Grand Slam titles to none for Safina. Williams has won three of the past four Slams but could face her sister in an emotional Open semi-final.